Nanomaterials in the Management of Fungal Udder Inflammation in Cattle as an Effective Preventive Strategy Based on In Vitro Studies

Fungal <i>mastitis</i> is rare but poses a significant problem for dairy farmers. It is often underestimated and under-researched, with most studies and treatments focusing on bacterial infections. Antibiotics are ineffective against fungi, and they exacerbate fungal <i>mastitis</i>. This study aimed to determine the antifungal properties of silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu), iron with a hydrophilic carbon coating (FeC), and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) at five different concentrations, as well as their complexes, on the survival of fungal strains such as <i>Pichia kudriavzevii</i>, <i>Wickerhamiella pararugosa</i>, <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, <i>Cutaneotrichosporon mucoides</i>, <i>Wickerhamomyces anomalus</i>, <i>Coniochaeta hoffmannii</i>, and <i>Kluyveromyces marxianus</i>. The strains' susceptibility to 8 standard antifungals, along with MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) and MFC (minimal fungicidal concentration) after NP treatment, was assessed. Clotrimazole and ketoconazole (10 µg) were most effective, while fluconazole (10 µg) and flucytosine (1 µg) showed the weakest activity. The AgCuNP complex demonstrated the strongest biocidal activity against all isolated strains, while FeCNPs and PtNPs showed very weak or no biocidal properties. The study's results provide a basis for further in vivo research, indicating the great potential of nanoparticles in combating fungal <i>mastitis</i>, providing an innovative solution against infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens.